The Human Security Dimension of Multilateral Security Governance: A Social Constructionist Approach

Abstract

As the world changes, new concepts and metaphors arise relating to these changes. Often, such new ideas are presented as being an attempt to capture ongoing changes. Behind this lies the assumption that, on the one hand, there is a (changing) social reality whereas, on the other hand, there are concepts, metaphors, models or theories that can be used to explain this reality. However, this positivist point of view is challenged by social constructionists, who claim that concepts also have to be regarded as discursive tools that people use in performing certain practices (see for instance Searle 1995; Potter 1996; Rothbart 2004). In other words, attempts to explain social reality are at the same time actually playing a role in constructing the social reality. Seen from this perspective, concepts and models are, in fact, rhetorical devices. Consequently, it is important to examine the reasons why, by whom and when a certain concept is used. This chapter argues that ‘human security’ is one of those concepts thatcertain actors use to construct today’s social reality. As mentioned in the Introduction, multilateral security governance includes a shift from government to governance, as well as a broadening of the concept of security. One can therefore claim that multilateral security governance implies a human security approach. The focus of this chapter is to discuss the relevance of the human security concept for multilateral security governance. Section one presents an analysis of the concept, focusing on the definitions attributed to it. Section two presents changes in multilateralism that give rise to opportunities to talk about human security. The final section advocates a ‘discursive turn’ in the study of human security.